Pulmonary embolism (PE) is frequently a difficult diagnosis because of
non-specific symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis
1
. We report a patient
with PE successfully diagnosed and treated, whose CXR showed Westermark’s
sign of pulmonary embolism. Westermark’s sign is distal oligaemia in the
affected area of the lung due to a reduction in size of vessels distal to a
PE
2
. It has a low sensitivity (14%) and high specificity (92%) for the
diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
3
. Its high specificity for PE makes it a
sign well worth being aware of and in this case described its early
recognition may led to early treatment and to prevention of cardiovascular
insult.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is frequently a difficult diagnosis because of
non-specific symptoms that can lead to misdiagnosis
1
. We report a patient
with PE successfully diagnosed and treated, whose CXR showed Westermark’s
sign of pulmonary embolism. Westermark’s sign is distal oligaemia in the
affected area of the lung due to a reduction in size of vessels distal to a
PE
2
. It has a low sensitivity (14%) and high specificity (92%) for the
diagnosis of pulmonary embolism
3
. Its high specificity for PE makes it a
sign well worth being aware of and in this case described its early
recognition may led to early treatment and to prevention of cardiovascular
insult.

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en

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Irish Medical Journal

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Archived with thanks to Irish medical journal

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dc.subject

PULMONARY EMBOLISM

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dc.subject.mesh

Adult

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dc.subject.mesh

Electrocardiography

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Fibrinolytic Agents

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Humans

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Male

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Pulmonary Embolism

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dc.title

Westermark's sign of pulmonary embolism--well known but frequently overlooked.